Cook, Henry A.

H. A. Cook’s Furniture and Undertaking, Front St., Watford. Courtesy D Hollingsworth.

(submitted by Robert Kenward)

The Cook family came to Strathroy, Ont. from Gloucestershire, England. Henry A. Cook (1840 - 1897) learned the cabinet making business there. He first settled in St. Thomas, then London, then Strathroy. In 1868 he moved to Watford. He started with a furniture store. Then he built a furniture factory and warehouse which employed about 14 men. He added the business of undertaking, being the first undertaker in Watford. An advertisement placed in a local 1893 newspaper showed his business as furniture, fancy goods and "undertaking receives prompt attention." 

Henry married Melissa Kenward (1843 - 1923) of Warwick Twp. in 1868. They had four children: Henry (Harry) Arnold (1871 - 1961), Lottie (Bradley) (1875 -), Clarence Walter (1876 -) and Warren Kenward (1881 - 1961). Henry was active in local politics; he was a Watford Councillor for several years.

Harry A. Cook, sometimes known as Arnold, was born and educated in Watford. He learned the furniture and undertaking business from his father and succeeded him as the owner of the H. A. Cook Furniture and Undertaking Business in Watford in 1897. For many years the business was located on the north side of Front Street, Lots 31 and 32. Then, in 1910, H. A. purchased Lots 25 on Main Street. 

Harry A. Cook married Christine McLeay of Warwick Twp. in 1897. Of interest, H. A. Cook's brother, Warren, established the well-known Warren K. Cook clothing line.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Cook, Henry A.

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